More from Syd

Dear Diary:

It was all false hope -- the big balloon landed and nobody came to rescue me from the satellite dish after all :(

I was so disappointed and sad, and aimlessly wandered about crashing into things until the satellite dish no longer received a signal (or something like that) and back we went to my friends at the vet -- of course I was very happy to see them!

However, those people need a new hobby or something -- quilting flesh and making nice dogs like me wear satellite dishes are one thing but REALLY?!!!!!!! Do I look like I am in danger of drowning?!!!!


But I showed them -- the human looked down from her computer and there I was -- separated from the flotation device in under 45 minutes...


Will they ever just give up?!

Update from Syd

Dear Diary:

I knew someone would come and rescue me!!! I was just sitting around feeling morose when we all heard this noise -- it sounded like maybe Auntie Lisa or Galen had sent a fire breathing dragon to take the satellite dish off my neck!!!!! We all raced out to the deck to see it.


But it wasn't a dragon after all -- even better!!!!!


Right now Auntie Lisa or Galen - or maybe BOTH -- are landing in the field next door to come and save me :)


It is just like the Wizard of Oz!!!!!!

Syd's Diary

Dear Diary:

It started last Friday. I thought they were all my friends but obviously I was wrong. I felt very sleepy and then when I woke up I had a bad headache and that little lump above my elbow was gone -- and someone had done sewing there!!! Seriously?! What kind of sicko practices sewing -- in flesh?!!!!

Fine. I fixed them. I licked and licked and nibbled -- and by yesterday morning I had gotten rid of most of that bad sewing job.

The humans were not impressed -- back I went to my friends at the vet -- and yes, I still love them because I love EVERYONE all the time; this might have been a mistake.

My vet was also not impressed with the little hole -- and apparently thought that like a sock, I needed to be darned. She stuck needles in me while those traitors held me down and fed me bad cookies. And when it was done, they wrapped it in layers of tape and green vet wrap stuff, sprayed nasty crap all over it, fed me more cookies and remarked on how quickly I forgave them all -- what else can you do?

I had the stupid green bandage off before we got home -- since the vet is about three miles away, I was impressed even if nobody else was.

The humans wrapped it again. I had it off even quicker, having gained experience.

This was a mistake. The next thing I know I am wearing something around my neck and it is not a collar -- Karma was very rude and asked if I was trying to be a satellite dish.


I had it broken in about five minutes -- but they reinforced it with duct tape.

I went through their legs to help them understand the dangers of this stupid thing -- that was entertaining but they are slow learners and did not take it off.

I have cracked it more by running into walls, the table, doors, etc. -- duct tape is powerful stuff.


I am now depressed and need help from some real friends. I am sure Lisa or Galen will be here soon to rescue me...


The End.

You Dirty Dog!

One of the best things about getting older is figuring out that I really don't know everything. It is actually a BIG relief not to know everything -- you should try it! No longer do I have to have all the answers or solve all problems or insert my ever so informed opinion into every conversation -- this creates a lot of free time and brain space!

This very odd experience of ignorance also has somehow increased my ability to be compassionate and recognize that there is usually a bigger picture hidden from me. Recently we were having a family discussion and of course, there are villains in every family story. But I found myself thinking of the villains in different ways -- of being able to articulate that maybe the usual storyline was just one way of seeing the situation, and not really the absolute truth.

Black and white thinking makes people into saints and sinners, or good guys and villains. Working with people as much as I have has taught me that when we understand someone's story, we usually can find a soft place in our heart for them. Indeed, I have found very few people who do not deserve compassion -- darn it.

It is so much easier to categorize people, ideas, actions, etc. into good and bad because we know how to respond to good and bad -- like good, hate bad. But the reality is that everyone is a saint and a sinner - all of us are a mix of good and bad, whatever that means. Our challenge is to embrace that reality, and learn to accept and love imperfect people and appreciate that their stories (and actions) usually make sense to them.

I am a villain in someone's story (as are you, no doubt) and that used to bother me - but now I accept that sometimes we need villains. A villain is useful -- it is someone we place all the complicated "blame" on -- like a scapegoat -- and in doing so we do not have to see our part in the unfortunate story -- and maybe more importantly, we can avoid acknowledging how those we have put on pedestals let us down and/or contributed to the unfortunate story.

Most of us are really not victims in our own lives -- and most people are not really villains. Of course, it is simpler to think that way -- but it just isn't accurate and I see that as I get older and know less.

So maybe the less we know, the more we know? Or maybe it is that when we recognize the limits of our knowledge, we create space for new understanding - and that new understanding creates space for increased compassion. All I know is that I appreciate the perspectives that seem to be part of getting older :)

But there are still dirty dogs in the world - as evidence, here is Cadi:


It made sense to her to take a dirt bath and I was invited to choose my response to a dog who resembled Pig Pen from the Peanuts cartoon when she came in the house. I could freak out and be mad -- but why? A dirt bath made her happy :) I just hustled her through the house to the deck, where the grooming table lives at the moment, reminding myself (and horrified Dear Husband) that the dust cloud she was leaving in her wake could eventually be vacuumed and wasn't toxic after all! And then I took pictures and blew the dirt off with the blow dryer -- no big deal.

Life is all about choices -- and the most important ones seem to be related to how we respond to the dirty dogs in our own lives -- including the dirty dog that lives within all of us. I suggest that we embrace the dirty dogs -- and in doing so, maybe we will find compassion and understanding not only for others, but for the parts of ourselves that need some serious blow drying...

Sisters!

The price of a great picture? Ten new mosquito bites!!! But well worth it I would say -- this is Asia and Zoey...


I hope you are having a dynamic day!

Keeping Cool!

Carol sent these pictures of Brighton (D Litter -- Zack x Maize) staying cool in Iowa -- my Zack daughters also LOVE water -- how about other Zack kids?



Happy Fourth of July! One this day we remember Abra, mom of Maize and Halo and grandma or great-grandma to all Kaibab dogs -- Happy Birthday to Abra!

Weekend Happenings

Congratulations to Zaida Jamaica from the Glitterati! Shown by Val Horney, who owns Zaida's grandpa Marshall, Zaida was Best of Winners today in Colorado for a major! She earned two points last week in Montana so she has had a five point week -- how excellent is that?! Zaida's mom, Barb, has done an outstanding job getting Zaida conditioned and trained for the breed ring -- two thumbs up for Team Zaida!

We have continued to entertain -- Jake and Cassie arrived from Utah for a fast two day visit. Both are students plus they work so appreciated the opportunity to just chillax...



I took advantage of the warm weather to give Halo deVil a much needed bath/trim.


It has been a while since I have shared a sisters shot -- Asia and Zoey.


I won this chicken in a raffle at the Blackfoot agility trial and it is a huge hit with the girls -- today it is Zoey's baby -- love at first peck, I call this...


It makes great (annoying) noises when pushed -- Zoey demonstrating...


Cadi takes the saying, "I am falling for you" to extreme -- first she does the berner lean...

...and when you move, she just falls right to the ground at your feet -- "timber!" Of course, she expects to have her tummy scratched...


I hope that -- like Zaida -- you are having a winning weekend :)

Pictures and New Title

We want to send a big shout out to Marti and Maverick (C Litter) for earning Mav's Novice Draft Dog title this past weekend -- Congratulations to them both! One of the judges at the test is Mav's grandma (since she owns Maverick and Cadi's dad, Marshall) and she reported that Team Maverick did a great job! Well-done Team!


Dear Husband and Mrs. Maize taken yesterday -- we are now in the countdown to the big 11th birthday on July 13...


From this morning -- Sydney.


I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer day, and looking forward to an excellent Fourth of July weekend!

Traveling Clothes, Eagles, and One Mean Hawk

Some of you know that I have been searching high and low for my sparkly green show jacket. I had it in Blackfoot but it was no where to be found when I went looking for it for the Missoula shows. Dear Husband had done the laundry so I called him (since he was in Utah last week) to ask if he knew where the missing jacket was -- he had no idea and so I kept searching.

In my search I found many excellent things I had been missing and discovered that the dryer vent had a small leak -- but no jacket. It was very sad and humiliating to have to wear the same suit all three days of the Missoula shows :(

Well, Dear Husband came home this morning with a confession -- and the sparkly green jacket! He had taken it to Utah to be dry cleaned (since we have no dry cleaners in Montana ;) but did not remember doing it when I called him -- sigh... But at least it is back and clean!

And in other missing clothes news, my new Lucky Hanukkah Socks wound up in Colorado!!! That is what happens at shows -- on the last day when everyone is trying to pack/leave things get tossed all over and stuffed in the nearest bag -- it is why I have two combs but am missing my Mars Coat Thingee. Anyway, the socks are on their way back to Montana -- those are some well-traveled socks already!

Dear Husband and I went to lunch and when we came back we were greeted by a most amazing sight -- two bald eagles riding the currents over our house. I grabbed the ever ready camera and took pictures!




And then -- like a stealth bomber -- a hawk came from out of no where and whacked one of the eagles in midair!!! The eagles took the oh-so-subtle hint and flew away -- who knew birds could be just like people?!

Score!!!!

Keeping the camera ready permits these kinds of pictures -- I just took them from the deck :)




Isn't Spot2 ADORABLE?!

Final Report

Today ended the Missoula shows, which was the last event in this busy month of June. Before we get to the summary, just a few pictures to share...

This is a picture of siblings Cooper Whitby and Sydney chilling together in the lower yard last night.


The view - I never get tired of it :)


So excited!!!!!! We have a new resident in the neighborhood -- Spot II! I saw her last night and am now carrying the camera at all times just in case, and I got lucky this morning but it is not the greatest picture because of the fence...


Thanks to Vic for these show photos from today -- not the greatest lighting but you can get the idea. This is Cooper Whitby -- he placed in a very nice open dog class.


This is Sydney -- I like how the picture shows her nice side gait. She did not do much today -- judge liked a good shoulder layback and the G Litter fault? Not good shoulder layback :)


This is Zaida Jamaica and I. She placed in a nice class so that was great.


Moving on to Zoey -- I showed her in Best of Breed and again, this shot shows her side gait. Zoey went Best of Opposite for her third GrCH major!


Alex showed Cadi in Best of Breed and Juniors -- Cadi was Select Bitch, earning her second GrCH major and then they got a second place in juniors! Alex did a great job and is just cool as a cucumber in the ring -- a wonderful quality :)


And Cindy and Gracie (from the D Litter) earned their second Novice A obedience leg!!!!


With my baby girls looking so nice and wildflowers all around, I took some pictures -- this is Sydney...



And Zoey...


And so ends a great month of dog fun and successes -- and friends. We started with the draft tests -- and came home with four new titles and two new Versatility Dogs (Mac and Zoey).

We then moved on to Blackfoot -- Zoey earned her NA, making her a Working Dog, and also picked up more Grand Championship (GrCH) points by going Best of Opposite every day; Mac earned two open agility legs.

Then we had our fun -- and I hope useful -- Camp Kaibab where we worked hard on draft, obedience, training ideas, and Ring Nerves.

And finally we did the three days of the Missoula show. Zoey was shown twice -- she was Best of Opposite both times and picked up two majors plus beat Cadi both days; a GrCH requires that the dog beat at least one other champion three times and Zoey has now fulfilled this requirement. She also has the required three majors, and has a total of 16 points -- so what she needs now is nine more points.

Cadi was Best of Opposite on the day I did not show Zoey, and that was a major towards her GrCH. With Alex showing her yesterday and today, she was Select Bitch both days, and earned a second major plus points. So Cadi has eight GrCH points, including two majors -- all earned this weekend when she was completely out of coat!

Zaida was Winner's Bitch yesterday and all of our class dogs (Cooper, Syd, and Zaida) did well in their classes and looked great. And Cindy/Gracie got those two obedience legs and Alex placed each day in his juniors class -- his first time showing a dog!

My goal is to breed versatile dogs -- I think we got it covered...

Show Update

On Sunday I showed Cooper, Zaida, Sydney and Cadi (!). Cooper and Zaida placed in their classes, Syd won her class, and Cadi was Best of Opposite, earning a three point major towards her Grand Championship. Alex (Cooper's human brother) showed Cadi in juniors and was third. Also, Cindy and Gracie earned their first Novice A obedience leg!!!!

Today (Monday) I showed Cooper, Zaida, and Zoey; Alex showed Cadi in Best of Breed and juniors. Cooper again placed in a really nice class, Zaida won her class and went Winner's Bitch (Yea!), Zoey was Best of Opposite for another major towards her Grand Championship, and Cadi (with Alex handling) was Select Bitch, earning two points towards her Grand Championship! And Alex and Cadi were second in their juniors class :)

Tomorrow we have everyone entered - I will be showing Cooper, Zaida, Sydney and Zoey; Alex will again show Cadi in juniors and Best of Breed. It should be a very wild day!

More Pictures!

I am much too tired to say anything clever and so you will have to be content with pictures from Day Two of Camp Kaibab. We were busy today -- here is Cooper Whitby on the dog walk...


Okay Cooper Fans -- here is a shot of his head -- pretty intense!


This is Cadi and (son) Cooper doing a down stay...


Tara Geneva is a natural agility dog -- the Glitterati are simply BRILLIANT and I am very serious...


Husbands tend to think that all this dog stuff is SO easy so Vic took the challenge and did a course with Halo -- if you do not count hitting the narrows (once) and the cart (and dog) tipping over, he did GREAT!!!!! Here he is figuring out the harness...


And his second try through the narrows -- success!!!!

What a good sport! Unlike some Dear Husbands (aka Kim and Ralph and Keith) at least Vic showed up -- and never mind that he is only here because his fishing trip was canceled ;)

Moving on... Mrs. Maize added Camp Counselor to her impressive resume and continued to help Campers learn how to draft.



Halo also served as a Camp Counselor...


Zaida Jamaica is a natural draft dog -- and extra cute :)


Our new friend, Tucker, was all tuckered out!!!


And of course we did family pictures -- three generations! Mrs. Maize, daughter Cadi, and Cadi's children, Tara Geneva, Sydney Sydney, Zaida Jamaica, and Cooper Whitby


Three Glitterati girls, Tara Geneva, Sydney Sydney, Zaida Jamaica


Just Sydney


Just Tara Geneva


Mrs. Maize's daughter, Gracie (from the D Litter)


Our Happy Campers...


And I end with this lovely shot of our practice freight haul, down our driveway...


And so ends a fun Camp Kaibab -- until next year... and now on to the three days of the Missoula show :)